As many of you know who read this forum regularly I recently purchased a Swiss K31. Over the last couple months I have done some work to it ultimately preparing it to use as a hunting rifle that's something different than the stereotypical hunting rifle. Well I got my opportunity this weekend to use the rifle on a scimitar horned oryx hunt in south Texas. I used Prvi Partisan 174gr soft points. I noticed the soft points were very slightly less accurate than Swiss GP11 when I zeroed the rifle. The rifle performed well and the oryx went down like a sack of potatoes when I put a round into its chest.

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Veteran OEF (2002) and OIF1 (2003) - US Army
Member of the Burnet Gun Fighters, Inc. and of course the NRA
Oregon State University alum -- Go Beavs!

Wiilie, I highly recommend the Warne 7.3 rings from Brownells. They are extra beefy and designed for centerfire rifles. I have not had any problems with the mount or the rings coming loose. I have noticed that the 7.3 rings not sold from Brownells are different. So get the ones from Brownells.

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Veteran OEF (2002) and OIF1 (2003) - US Army
Member of the Burnet Gun Fighters, Inc. and of course the NRA
Oregon State University alum -- Go Beavs!

1) Since the K31 wasn't designed to be a lightweight hunting rifle, how cumbersome was it to hunt with if you walk/stalk?

It pretty much stinks :-). With all that wood PLUS the scope, it's really heavy. I've still never weighed it, but it's pretty darn heavy. After picking up some common hunting rifles with synthetic stocks (Marlins, Remingtons, Savages, etc.,), I see the benefit of the synthetic. MUCH lighter.

I took mine on a hog hunt in some heavy woods near Forreston, TX, and after lugging it around the woods for 3 hours (never got a shot off), it was exhausting. There is no substitute for modern designs, that's for sure. I sold it shortly thereafter...so I could get another, heavier rifle, a 2nd M1 Garand...

I mounted a scout scope on mine. Havn't hunted with it yet, but I did start reloading 165g Hornady Interlock bullets for it. Watch out, because the manual calls for a far-longer COL than my gun has. Luckily I made a dummy round first. Chambered it. Stiff extraction left the bullet in the rifling and extracted the case. I had to punch the bullet out of the rifling with a dowl rod. Yikes.
I measured the chamber and loaded for an alarmingly shorter COL, allowing for a .015 bullet jump. It works fine. Once I get it zeroed, I plan to whack a S.C. deer or hog.

How far was your shot? Could you have done it with the stock iron sights?

On the hunts I have been on shots have been taken from 650 yards to right around 18 yards. I shot at 175 yards and 65 yards. After my experiences I would not want to hunt with the iron sights. The scope was invaluable for proper target identification, ranging, and for shooting at a moving target.

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What are good bullets to use?

If you are reloading you have the almost limitless selection of .308" bullets to choose from. I would look at bullets ranging from 165 to 180 grains. I favor heavier bullets. If you are not reloading I suggest the Prvi Partisan/Wolf Gold 174gr soft points. If you have the cash the Norma 180 gr Oryx soft point is well-regarded.

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Veteran OEF (2002) and OIF1 (2003) - US Army
Member of the Burnet Gun Fighters, Inc. and of course the NRA
Oregon State University alum -- Go Beavs!

Barnes TSX bullets are simply invaluable for hunting. No lead transmission, perfect expansion and weight retention, high penetration....just at a higher cost. Buy one box, work up a load that works, and keep the rest for one per animal.

Even a 70 gr TSX from a 223 Remington at 2500 fps will penetrate over 20" in calibrated gel. They're just excellent bullets.

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